Growing in Unity 2018 Day One

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I was a GIU participant last year and was so excited when a week opened up and I was able to snag a spot for this year.  I love these rubber stamps and the company has turned me into a devoted stamper.  Be sure to comment as I will randomly pick two people from the comments to win a Unity grab bag of 25 stamps graciously donated by Unity Stamp Company.  I will pick a separate winner and send them three Distress Oxide inks from me since I ended up with duplicate colors and would like to pay them forward.

I decided to try the SMAK membership for a little while to stretch my creative style.  I am no longer a member and still had some kits that I had never inked up.  I knew this week would be a great way to use at least one of those kits.  The February 2017 SMAK is called Be You for You and can be found here.  My goal was to use most of the stamps in the kit.

Alcohol_Shadow_stamping

This first card was done utilizing shadow stamping with alcohol inks.  I saw this technique by Jennifer McGuire (found here) I cut out a top panel using a die from Gina Marie to mount over the stamped panel using foam tape.  The sentiment was from the February 2017 KOM.

Background

For this card I first embossed the sentiment using Versamark and White Pearl embossing powder.  I then used a couple of colors of Distress ink and used a blending tool to go over the panel building up the colors.  I wiped the ink of the embossing which resists the ink.  I then took the same two colors in Distress Oxide inks and stamped the floral pattern various placed on the panel.  Since the Oxide ink is more opaque, it shows up nicely on top of the regular Distress ink.  I did have to wipe it off the sentiment, but the embossing resisted it too.  I blended the Distress Oxide on the base before mounting the top panel with foam tape.

distressing

These kinds of backgrounds are what I struggle to use.  I covered the background with Distress Inks and splattered with water.  I then used Distress Oxide ink to use the pattern for the background.  I embossed another “splat” pattern using Versafine with clear embossing powder.  It is hard to see in the pictures but here is a closeup. Distress_close_up   I also embossed the sentiment before distressing it.  As I used the blending tool, I wrinkled the paper.  I decided to just go with it since it was to be a messy card anyway.

Foiling

This card was done by stamping on kraft paper using Deco Paste, letting that dry and then foiling it using Deco Foil and my Minc machine.  It is not as neat an image as when using a printer, but since this is a SMAK kit, that messier look worked.  The background paper is from a DCWV called Kraft & Gold.

masking.

These are just simple stamping and then masking off a section with painter’s tape, coloring with watercolors and taking the tape.  I cut the panel with an oval die and added a sheer ribbon on one and braided ribbon on the other.  One of my goals is to use the mass of ribbon I have collected.

Twine

My final card means I used all of the images and all but one of the sentiments from the kit.  This was a simple stamping on a slightly patterned paper, tearing and distressing the edges.  Taking a couple of patterned papers from my stash and tearing and distressing those too.  I wrapped some twine around the image to give some more interst and added some clock die cuts from my stash.

I hope to see you tomorrow when I use stamps from one of my KOM kits. Don’t forget to comment to be in the drawing. – Denise

103 thoughts on “Growing in Unity 2018 Day One”

  6. I like how you challenged yourself to use a whole kit. All of your cards are gorgeous. I use my distress inks a lot, too. Can’t wait to see what you do tomorrow.

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  8. Oh my gosh, these are stunning. I just love the variety of ideas .. I don’t have any of the SMAK kits, but I just might have to get a few after seeing all these cards you made from just one kit. Thank you for sharing your creativity. 😍

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  11. Lovely cards. I have one Unity stamp in my beginning accumulation, and I love how it stamps. I have used it several times already. Hope to acquire more as my skills (hopefully)improve.

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  13. this is just wonderful, full of inspirations for me to try. I too am addicted to Unity. They are hands down the greatest material to inspire one’s creativity. Wonderful blog dear.

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  16. This post has a TON of great ideas. I took notes! I learned card making when things were clean and simple, but soon embraced mixed media. I LOVE your last example.

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  18. Oh my…you are so talented , creative and inspirational showing so many beautiful,fabulous cards in one day that I’m still taking my breath. Thanks. Many blessings during this week!

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  20. So glad that you are the GUI woman this week. I have never seen these techniques before, and am sure that I’m in for a treat this week!! I love the first one, especially. VERY cool!!

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  21. Lots of wonderful inspiration! And great job using a whole kit. I love
    the first card’s design with the pretty oval die you used as well as the
    flowers from the KOM. (I have so much ribbon it scares me. lol).

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  24. How inspiring! I have never used oxide inks…and can kick myself all over for not acquiring a bunch when my local craft store had a 40% off stamp ink sale! I’ve recently started back up with card making after taking a few years break enjoying my teenagers before they grew up! Just took our oldest to first year of college, baby bro will leave next year….spending time in my craft studio, fighting back empty nest tears recently…reminded me of how great this creative outlet really is…now I need to catch up to the times! After 20 years or more of creating…I can never have too much! ——- your cards are beautiful.

    — Trudi

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  27. Great cards! Creative use of all the elements in the kit. Although I tear solid colored papers, it has never occurred to me to tear patterned paper…

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  33. A beautiful arrangement of cards! I think my favorite is the oval framed card, but the cards with blues and greens are very eye-catching. 😊 I am just starting with distress oxides, but the blend beautifully! Your Monday start up is amazing! Looking forward to the rest of the week….
    –Phaline Mays

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  36. Great variety of cards! I am new to the distress oxides, just have a couple of them so far but I am hoping to play around with them while on vacation in about a week!

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  37. Wow! What a fabulous start to your week! I’m excited to see the rest of your creations this week. All of your cards are gorgeous and inspiring!

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  38. Congratulations on becoming a Unity Girl! I love Unity Stamps. I was so very blessed to meet Angela, Whitney and Nick at JunkieFest.Your cards and designs are wonderful.

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  43. Wow, what a wonderful collection of cards! My favorite is the oval-framed one — it’s just so delicate. Thank you for reminding me of some techniques that I haven’t used in a long time – like tearing paper edges and inking over embossing. Great job!

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  46. These are beautiful cards. I do sort of the same thing, if I get a grab bag I challenge myself to try and use every stamp and make a card, just a fun thing I do to myself for a challenge and to get crafting moving. I have a wonderful friend she is not in good health I challenge myself every once in a while when she comes to mind and I can not get any cards done till I make a special one for her

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  47. Oh my goodness Denise. You have been busy. What a wonderful collection of cards using a variety of techniques. My favorite is the 2nd card where you used the same colors of distress inks and distress oxides.

    sue

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  50. Wow! You really started your GIU week of spectacularly! Such a great variety of cards and techniques! I just love that you used all the stamps in one kit!

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